Tough new ways to tackle Whitby town centre's "violent crime hotspot" are to be scrutinised by the public.

A hard-hitting Scarborough Council report into binge drinking and alcohol-related crime at the heart of the resort has now been endorsed by the borough's Licensing Committee.

Now locals are to be asked for their views in a consultation exercise next month.

The borough council report covers the town centre, including the central harbourside area, Church Street, Pier Road and parts of the West Cliff and East Side.

It says 62pc of Whitby's violence takes place in the town centre, along with 51pc of all town centre crime, 37pc of which is committed between 11pm and 2am.

In the 12-month period analysed, there were 333 crimes - 200 of which were assaults.

Of these, 24 were common assaults, 102 were woundings and 59 were public order offences.

There were also seven assaults on police officers.

A long time resident, who prefers to remain anonymous, said: "Whitby isn't as violent as other towns by any means, but anything which improves matters has got to be looked at."

A borough spokeswoman said the report is designed to form a proposed policy limiting the number of new clubs, pubs and bars.

She said: "This will allow the Licensing Authority to limit applications for 'vertical drinking establishments.'"

These are bars with mainly standing room which encourage customers to drink more alcohol.

Licensees will also be encouraged to be more responsible by working with police and the local Pubwatch scheme and using shatter proof glasses, lower music levels, door staff and end of night taxis to ferry customers home.